THE airbag inflated when her dad's car flipped after hitting a pothole, but she's determined to stay positive.

DEVASTATED schoolgirl Kelly Green lies in agony after being blinded by an airbag during a car crash.

Kelly lost her sight days before her 16th birthday when the safety device hit her in the face.

Her right eye is totally blind and despite five ops, she can only see a chink of light with her left.

The airbag inflated when her dad’s BMW hit a pothole and flipped on its roof in heavy rain. Kelly was cut out by fire crews and taken to hospital for surgery.

She said: “I remember the car hitting something then somebody opening the door, holding my head and asking if I was OK.

“When I came round in hospital, I tried to open my eyes but they were stitched together. I was upset when I was told I’d lost my sight.

“But I just want people to know I haven’t changed. I’m still the same girl and I’m not going to give up.”

Brave Kelly, who spent two weeks in hospital, added: “Some things are a bit harder but I’m getting used to using my cane now. I am hoping to go to college and then do a massage course because it’s something I can do with my hands.”

Friends and family, including little sister Katie, are raising funds for the specialist equipment she needs.

Kelly was in the passenger’s seat when postman dad Geoff, 47, crashed as he drove her home from a friend's Speaking at the family home in Eckington, Derbyshire, mum Bev, 49, said: “Our lives have been turned upside down but Kelly’s positive attitude is keeping us going. She is amazing.”

Dad Geoff said: “Kelly is so positive. I’m so proud of her.”

Speaking about the crash, he said: “I lost control of the car and the next thing I know we were on the roof. It’s amazing we survived.”

BMW said they would co-operate with any investigation and said: “We are saddened to hear of Kelly’s injury and our thoughts are with her and her family. “

They said BMWs met stringent international safety requirements, often exceeding them, and that safety was paramount.